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Pain and cervical traction variation during manual turning [proceedings]
Paraplegia
|February 1, 1978
Summary
Manual lifting and turning in spinal injury care can cause significant pain due to inconsistent traction forces. Utilizing kinetic nursing with specialized beds, like the Roto Rest Spinal Bed, is recommended to avoid these harmful manual techniques.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Nursing Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Conservative treatment for spinal injuries often involves manual lifting and turning.
- These techniques are crucial for patient mobility and preventing complications.
- However, the forces exerted during these maneuvers can be variable and potentially harmful.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the forces and variations in manual traction during lifting and turning procedures.
- To assess the impact of these forces on patient comfort and safety.
- To explore alternative methods for patient repositioning in spinal injury care.
Main Methods:
- An experimental setup using a dummy equipped with a cervical traction recorder was employed.
- Nurses and orderlies from a Spinal Unit performed standard manual lifting and turning techniques.
- Cervical traction forces were continuously monitored throughout the simulated patient repositioning.
Main Results:
- Significant and unpredictable variations in manual traction force were observed during lifting and turning.
- Incoordination between caregivers resulted in cervical bending moments.
- These factors combined can lead to pain and potential exacerbation of spinal injury.
Conclusions:
- Manual lifting and turning techniques in spinal injury management are associated with substantial risks.
- The observed variations in traction and induced bending forces can cause patient distress.
- Kinetic nursing, facilitated by specialized equipment such as the Roto Rest Spinal Bed, offers a safer alternative.